Pipe dream - glorious history of Scotland's iconic instrument is made up, says expert

[Floater]

For generations, its sharp and unmistakeable sound has struck fear into Scotland's enemies, emboldened its troops in battle and helped define its national identity. Every year, tourists in their tens of thousands flock to Edinburgh Castle to applaud the massed pipe bands of Scotland's regiments.

But contrary to popular myth, the great Highland bagpipe never led the Scots clans into battle against the English, nor did kilted pipers carry them around the castles of Highland chieftains, playing laments to the fallen.

In fact, says a new history by a leading authority on the much-loved - and loathed - instrument, the Highland bagpipe was actually invented less than 200 years ago, primarily for urban audiences. And what's more, it was largely created using money from wealthy Scots emigres living in London.

In a new book to be published by the National Museums of Scotland, Hugh Cheape, a leading Gaelic historian and expert piper, argues that the origins of the instrument have been confused by decades of mythology and deliberate invention; even, he hints, by deception.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/19/scotland